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Posts: 87
Location: michigan | The cold weather here has really turned on the fish. The water temp is in the low to mid sixties and the fish have switched to the big baits. We fished the south shore saturday and sunday, the biggest fish was 49 1/2" and all but one of the 21 fish we boated were over 40". All the fish were caught on boat rods with down rods and wash rods being the hot ones, and as usual all of them are still out there for another day. FRANK. |
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Posts: 294
Location: Suspended | We've got water in the mid to upper 60's locally and a cold front coming in so I'm hoping to apply some of what you're seeing there to this area and was hoping you'd answer some questions. I hope it's not too many but here goes:
Are you seeing action trolling outside weedlines, flats, drop-offs, or over deeper water (what depths)?
What lures are working, how fast and deep do you run them?
Thanks in advance. I've been blanked the last five times out and could use an alternate game plan.
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Posts: 87
Location: michigan | Webguy, we are fishing shallow drop-offs (8-16') they have scattered weedbeds. All fish were caught trolling, we have slowed the speed down to 4.2 - 4.8 mph. The hot baits have been big straight Wileys and Lokes the colors were dependant on water clarity and weather conditions which have been changing rapidly here (seems like an hourly basis, !#@!#$%#!). My set-up for rods/bait placement is the key factor for my success, I like to cover as much water as possible with the rods allowed. I will list these from first to last choice. 1. port wash rod 18' 4oz.(on edge of wash not in it) 2.starboard down rod 10' 10oz. (place rod at midship on boat with tip in water) 3. starboard out rod 18' 2oz. (10' rod placed 90 degrees to boat near back corner as far out as you can get it) Rod placement on the next three will be the same just on the opposite side of boat. 4. starboard wash rod 28' 6oz. 5. port down rod 12' 12oz. 6. port out rod 28' no weight. You can vary the weight and amount of line out a little for the conditions (the rougher it gets the closer I like to run them to the boat) just try to keep your baits at least 10' away from each other. I hope this helps you out. If you have any more questions give me a shout. Frank. P.S. Let me know how you do. |
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Posts: 294
Location: Suspended | Thanks for the feedback Frank, but it raises a few more questions. What type of weights, line, and connections do you use? I'm familiar with the Off Shore snap weights and I didn't think they went that big. |
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Posts: 5874
| I think Cap'n Frank should be on the chat list for this next off season. I'd also suggest we schedule it over a 2 hour time frame. He's got lots of info from St. Clair that we all could learn a thing or two from.
Been on St. Claire once, and would like to go back. Perhaps next year? |
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Posts: 87
Location: michigan | Webguy, these weights are in-line between the main line and the leader. I use 25lb. mono for the main line and 50lb flourocarbon leaders. make your leaders 6' long with a cross-lock ball-bearing swivel on the main-line end and a cross-lock snap on the bait end. Don't go much shorter or any longer on the leader, to short and you will kill the action on the bait, to long and you will have a problem with the bait popping out of the water due to the bait having to much action. Frank. |
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Posts: 87
Location: michigan | Shep, thanks for the good words, I would be happy to talk muskies Lake St. Clair style. We have come up with some unique ways to present baits while trolling. We're just not real well versed when it comes to casting. LOL When you get ready to come back this way give me a shout and I'll give you a full report. If I'm not booked maybe we can go fishing. Frank |
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